Managing Apple Devices in N-central is Better Than Ever

It’s not uncommon to find with remote monitoring and management solutions that the functionality they offer around Apple device management lies a very distant second to that offered for Windows devices. N-central has long been a leading RMM solution, and it too has had its deficiencies when it comes to Apple device management. However, as Bob Dylan famously sang: “The times they are a-changin’!”

There are several reasons why offering Apple device management on par with Windows is important for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). These include:

• Competitive Advantage
  In a competitive MSP market, the ability to offer a wide range of services, including Apple device management, can be a significant differentiator. It allows MSPs to stand out from the competition and attract a broader customer base.
• Customer Retention
  Providing comprehensive device management services, including Apple devices, enhances customer satisfaction and retention. Customers prefer MSPs that can address all their IT requirements, regardless of their choice of hardware and operating systems.
• Consistency and Efficiency
  Managing both Apple and Windows devices via the same set of tools and processes helps to streamline MSP operations. It can also help ensure consistency in service delivery and reduce the complexity of managing multiple management solutions.
• Cost Savings
  Streamlining device management by offering a unified approach for Apple and Windows devices can lead to cost savings for both the MSP and the client. It can help reduce the need for separate tools, training, and support, making operations more efficient.

How to Manage Apple Devices in N-central

“OK, I know why I should manage Apple devices, but how do I do this with N-central?”, I hear you proclaim as you read this. Well, we’ve taken a two-step approach to improve how you manage Apple devices in N-central. 

1. The New-look Mac Agent for N-central

First of all, we have completely redesigned our Mac agent and there have been several updates to that agent in the releases of N-central this year.

The redesigned N-central Mac agents allows you to:

• Use Take Control to get live screensharing access to Apple devices.
• Use Take Control technology to launch a Terminal Session or File System window from N-central, allowing you to send commands or transfer files without disrupting the end user.
• Trigger OS updates for your Apple devices and choose how you want them deployed—now, later, etc.
• Run scripts against your Apple devices—you’ll find some great Apple scripts available in our Automation Cookbook.
• Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response on your Apple devices.
• See live CPU and Memory usage widgets, just like you do on a Windows device.

2. New Apple-specific Capabilities for N-central

As you can see from above, we are getting very close to offering the same functionality for Mac devices as we do for Windows devices in N-central, but to enhance how we support Mac devices we have also developed Apple-specific capabilities, including:

• Auto enrol devices in N-central through Apple Business Manager
  Auto enrolment through Apple Business Manager is a streamlined process for organizations to provision Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This system enables devices to automatically join an organization’s mobile device management (MDM) solution (N-central). This simplifies device setup and management, ensuring that devices are configured with the necessary settings, apps, and security policies right from the start.
• “User approved” manual enrolment for all Apple OS
  This is a method to enrol Apple devices into an MDM solution where end-users play an active role in the process. They must explicitly approve the enrolment, enhancing user awareness and consent for device management. This approach is applicable across all Apple operating systems, ensuring consistent and user-friendly device onboarding.
• Extending N-able permissions to Mac OS enforcing roles and security posture
  This means integrating N-able’s management and monitoring capabilities with Apple’s macOS. This integration allows organizations to enforce predefined roles and security postures, ensuring that Mac devices adhere to specific security and configuration standards.
• Upload and deploy custom configurations
  This is a feature of an MDM solution that lets administrators define and apply tailored settings, policies, and configurations to managed Apple devices. This capability allows organizations to meet their specific requirements, such as setting up Wi-Fi networks, security policies, and app configurations.
• Native device commands
  This allows an MDM solution to send instructions or commands directly to managed Apple devices. These commands can include actions like locking the device, wiping it remotely, installing software updates, or executing other device-specific tasks, providing administrators with control over the devices under their management.
• Multi-tenant push certificates
  Enable an MDM solution to manage multiple organizations or tenants securely. Each tenant can have its unique push certificate, which is essential for ensuring that device management commands and configurations are delivered to the correct set of devices within a specific organization while keeping data separate and secure between tenants. This is crucial for MDM service providers serving multiple customers.

Why Use N-central to Support Your Apple Devices

Using N-central to support your Apple devices gives you:

• A single pane of glass for managing all your devices, whether they’re Windows, Apple, or Linux.
• Cost savings compared to standalone Apple solutions—it is significantly less expensive per device.
• Enhanced security—you get all the additional benefits of the N-able platform (such as Patch, EDR, and Backup) allowing you to close any security gaps.
• An opportunity to increase revenue by adding unmanaged devices, with the additional benefit of providing EDR and Cove to these devices.

Offering Apple device management on par with Windows allows MSPs to cater to a broader client base, remain competitive, help ensure security and compliance, and provide a consistent and efficient user experience. It also prepares MSPs for future technology trends and helps build stronger, long-lasting client relationships.

If you’ve looked at N-central in the past and felt it didn’t meet your Apple device management requirements, then I strongly urge you to revisit N-central as we have made significant improvements in recent months.

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